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Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
What is the difference between southern mac and cheese and other mac and cheese recipes?
How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?
Secret #1: Overcook your macaroni
Secret #2: Mascarpone
Secret #3: Coat your macaroni in butter
Not-So-Secret #4: Freshly Grated Cheese
What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese?
What milk is best for mac and cheese?
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Check the recipe card below for the full ingredient measurements and instructions, but here's a quick look at the simple ingredients you'll need to make this delicious baked mac and cheese!
How do you make southern mac and cheese from scratch?
Equipment
Baked Mac and Cheese Tips and F.A.Q.
More Holiday Recipes You'll Love
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
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Creamy southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe with a secret ingredient is always one of my most popular recipes! This is the best southern baked mac and cheese recipe, the ultimate comfort food for Sunday dinner or a holiday celebration! You'll love this old fashioned mac and cheese with evaporated milk!
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 463kcal
Equipment you may need
- 3-quart casserole dish
- cheese grater
Ingredients
- 8 oz. (227 g) elbow macaroni - about half a 16-oz. box
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) salted butter - plus more for baking dish
- 1 large egg - beaten
- 1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
- 1½ cup (366 g) whole milk
- 8 oz (227 g) extra-sharp white cheddar cheese - good quality
- 8 oz (227 g) mild cheddar cheese - or another mild cheese like monterey jack, fontina, or gouda
- 8 oz (227 g) mascarpone cheese - room temperature
- 1½ tsp. (9 g) salt - or to taste (taste mixture before adding egg)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cajun or creole seasoning
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) dry mustard powder - or 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon (1 ml) ground nutmeg
- fresh cracked pepper - for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 3-quart casserole dish or 9x13 pan with butter or spray with cooking spray.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding 2 minutes to the maximum time listed on the package. Drain; stir butter into macaroni until butter is melted.8 oz. elbow macaroni, 2 tablespoon salted butter
- While macaroni is boiling, shred both cheese blocks using a box grater. Combine shredded cheese until evenly mix, then set aside about half of shredded cheese mixture for later.8 oz extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, 8 oz mild cheddar cheese
- In a large bowl, whisk together mascarpone and evaporated milk until smooth (there may still be some lumps, which are okay).8 oz mascarpone cheese, 1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
- Mix in the whole milk, followed by the salt, creole seasoning, mustard powder, and nutmeg. Stir in half of the shredded cheese mixture.1½ cup whole milk, 1½ tsp. salt, 1 teaspoon cajun or creole seasoning, ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Taste mixture to see if seasonings are to your preference and adjust if necessary. Stir in beaten egg.1 large egg
- Add buttered macaroni to milk/cheese mixture and stir to combine. Pour the whole mixture into your prepared casserole dish.8 oz. elbow macaroni, 2 tablespoon salted butter
- Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top, followed by some fresh cracked pepper, if you like.fresh cracked pepper
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until cheese on top is melted and filling is bubbling. If you prefer a browner top, place it under the broiler for 3-5 minutes watching carefully so it doesn't burn. Cool slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
Make-ahead instructions: You can prepare this baked mac and cheese the night before and bake the following day! Just complete all the steps except the last one (baking), and place in the fridge covered with plastic wrap. The next day, bake in preheated oven as normal, although you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cook time.
Freezing: This soul food baked mac and cheese freezes very well! Just cool the mac and cheese completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw, still wrapped, in the fridge before baking as usual.
Updated time/temp: I make this recipe many times a year, and this year I experimented a bit with the temperature. And I found that baking the mac and cheese at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time produced an even better texture! So the recipe card has been updated to reflect that change.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 463 kcal | Carbohydrates: 28 g | Protein: 24 g | Fat: 28 g | Saturated Fat: 17 g | Cholesterol: 107 mg | Sodium: 872 mg | Potassium: 435 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 12 g | Calcium: 628 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!
Last Updated on November 8, 2024 by Chenée Lewis
Britt says
This one is an awesome recipe. The Mac & cheese is so good! I'll be making it again. Thanks for the recipe.
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so glad you liked it Britt! Thanks!!
Margarita says
The Mac and cheese was fantastic 😋 everyone love it, took the leftovers to work and my coworker ate is and bought me lunch.😀 I promise to make it for her..
Chenée Lewis says
Lucky coworker!! 🙂 Glad you liked it!
Patrice says
Mac and cheese is my favorite dish to make especially on the holidays. There are many Mac and cheese recipes and many types of cheeses to give that special touch for a cheesey taste. Thanks for sharing.
Chenée Lewis says
You're so welcome! 🙂 It's my favorite too!
Elizabeth David says
The most delicious Mac and cheese I’ve ever had! Made it for a baby shower and everyone loved it! I already have requests to make it again!
Chenée Lewis says
That's wonderful to hear! Thank you!
Syble Franks says
You display your recipes beautifully. Thanks so much for making these available.
Chenée Lewis says
You're so welcome! Thank you!
Gayle says
I didn’t have any mascarpone cheese on hand but it was delicious anyway.
Chenée Lewis says
That's great to hear! 🙂
Sally O'Neal says
Perfect Mac and cheese! I followed the recipe exactly and used Gouda cheese. It was absolutely delicious, loved by everyone at our family dinner. This is now my go to mac & cheese recipe. Thank you!
Chenée Lewis says
It's my go-to as well! Thanks for the feedback!
Margarita Bishop says
I had never tried mascarpone cheese but this tasted great. It paired well steak and shrimp (prepared with Cajun seasoning too). I also added white pepper. I’m sure it would’ve been just as good without it. Will be making this again and adding lobster in it. Delish.
Chenée Lewis says
Lobster sounds like a great idea!! Thanks!!
Paula LaBreche says
I love Mac and cheese. I’m stuck on my own fav but decided to try this recipe. ITS My NEW Fav!!!!
Chenée Lewis says
Yayy!! I'm so glad to hear that!
Margaret says
This has been and always will be my #1 go to for a high level Mac & cheese. I grew up on kraft blue box, so I never knew how scrumptious something almost as simple to put together (as the box kind) could be! This is comfort like no other. I make this once a week, meal prep and refrigerate for a warm cheesy hug for my lunch or dinner.
Chenée Lewis says
I love the idea of making this for meal prep! So glad you enjoy it!
Sheree Fortier says
I want to try this...but i do not like to use evaporated milk...in anything!
What would you suggest as a substitution?
Thank you.
Sheree
Chenée Lewis says
You could try just using whole milk, but I haven't made this recipe with anything other than evaporated milk, so I'm not certain how it would turn out. Hope it works well for you! 🙂
CMS says
Great combination of flavors. Delicious!
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so glad you think so! We love this recipe over here too 🙂
Renee says
I’m giving it a 5 because it looks so good although I’m not making it until 2 days from now lol! I don’t have dry mustard or Dijon mustard, is it okay if i don’t use it? 😅 Very excited to try this receipt! Looks amazing!
Chenée Lewis says
Yes, you can leave it out -- I find it adds a great flavor, but it's optional. I hope you love the recipe!
Jennifer says
Came out so good! I used cream cheese, and never tried nutmeg, so I couldn't force myself to do it, but tasted delicious!!
Chenée Lewis says
Thanks -- I"m so glad you liked it!! Maybe you can give the nutmeg a try next time 🙂
Cindy says
As a Southern Gal , this brought back memories . This is absolutely a go to for any occasion . So dang good .
Chenée Lewis says
It's my go-to for sure! I'm glad you like it!
Jamila says
I just made this for our 4th of July bbq. I had some crabmeat leftover in my freezer so I thawed it and mixed it in before baking. Also made a pan of the recipe as-is. Both were huge hits and I’ve been told that I’ll be expected to make this recipe again. Thank you for this. It’s delicious!
Chenée Lewis says
Ooh I bet crab meat just took it to another level! 😋
Oneewa says
I have not made this yet, but I’m considering making it for the 4th of July. I’m making 2 lbs of mac’n cheese. Using your ingredients, should I use 4 times the ingredients?
Chenée Lewis says
Yes that would be 4 times this recipe, since this one only calls for 8 ounces -- I hope you enjoy and happy 4th!
Paula says
this soul food mac and cheese was soooo cheesy and delish! wow! Can't wait to make it again.
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you so much! It's my favorite 🙂
Angela says
Oh my - this was pure comfort eating! I made this for dinner yesterday and it was perfect. Full of flavour and easy to follow. Thanks!
Chenée Lewis says
That's wonderful! I'm so glad you liked it!
Mahy says
If there was one thing that I could never say no to, it would be mac and cheese. Fantastic recipe to keep handy!
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so glad you like it!